Volvo Starter works intermitently

nofxmn1 · Post by **nofxmn1** » 24 Sep 2009, 12:42

Whenever I leave my car sit for more than 8 hours the starter needs to be "joged" to engage. What I mean is I have to turn the key to start then back it off then it will turn the motor on the second try. Sometimes it starts right on the second try and sometimes it takes 10 or 15 try's. I can hear the starter engage and spin but it is not "biting" the gear on the motor until it's "joged"
Anyone heard of this? What might the solution be?

Also The starter and solenoid have been replaced. This still happens.

Post by **misha** » 24 Sep 2009, 18:02

Your problem is called "bendix".I had exactly the same problem few years ago,replaced it with genuine(oem)Bosch and no problem since.

Bendix is a part of starter,and if i remember well,it have some gears on it.
The toughest part is to pull the starter off the car to replace it without removing intake manifold,but it can be done.

If you need to service/replace your pcv system....this is right time to do this and it would be much easier to access your starter.

nofxmn1 · Post by **nofxmn1** » 24 Sep 2009, 18:07

intake manifold?
All i did to take the starter off is remove the fan and cover and remove 3 bolts easiest starter ever. This is a Bosh oem starter in it. However the solenoid has two leads instead of one like my old one.

Post by **misha** » 24 Sep 2009, 18:14

I said that if you need to service your pcv system.

What year,model of Volvo you have?

nofxmn1 · Post by **nofxmn1** » 24 Sep 2009, 18:24

Its a 94 850

Post by **misha** » 24 Sep 2009, 18:38

I have a '97 850 and after my mechanic replaced bendix on starter he said that it was a bear to take it off.In that time i didn't work on my car myself.

I don't know about u.s,but in Europe you can buy that part separately.It cost me about 50eur(73$)+20eur for labour(almost 100$).When this fails,people in u.s just buy rebuilted starter or used one at junkyard for that money.
I don't have that possibillity here in Serbia(for that ammount of money)so it was a lot cheaper to replace just bendix.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » 26 Sep 2009, 23:29

If you're hearing the starter motor spin but the engine is not turning over, you have a problem with the starter. Most likely it is the bendix which is the gear assembly at the front of the starter where it engages at the flywheel. Could also be the solenoid at the top of the starter not drawing the plunger back internally and so not keeping the gear in the starter engaged at the flywheel.
But mine at 186K miles, was the bendix, it was also worked better when the car was cold. If you had the entire starter and solenoid replaced recently, I would have it tested and try to return it. When I did mine, I found an entire low mileage Bosch starter on ebay, easier than tracking down parts and knocking the old one apart to rebuild. So far so good.

Post by **holler1** » 27 Sep 2009, 06:29

Make sure it's the starter you're hearing spin, before replacing it, not the fuel pump. The starter should be louder and the noise from under the hood. Might be good to open a window and the hood and listen. If the starter is not turning each time the key is turned, it's a whole different problem called "intermittent crank" which is very common and due to electrical circuit problems. Another thing you could do is test the starter off the engine.